Language courses
The PIER Education Platform offers language training for early stage researchers in German and English. The courses are open to all doctoral and postdoctoral researchers with an affiliation to the PIER Helmholtz Graduate School, IMPRS-UFAST, HELIOS, DASHH, CUI/ AIM, or Quantum Universe. Researchers from other graduate programs on Campus Bahrenfeld may also participate upon request.
Note: Most of the language courses take place online. For details please contact the teachers and/or the PIER Office (graduateschool@pier-hamburg.de).
German courses
If you would like to enroll in one of our German courses, please register here.
If you are uncertain about your language level, our teachers may arrange a placement test for you. The test is designed to give students and teachers a quick way of assessing the approximate level of a student's knowledge of German grammar and usage. The test - if applicable - should take no longer than 20 minutes to complete.
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL): Our German courses follow the guideline established via the CEFRL, which is used to describe achievements of learners of foreign languages across Europe. The six reference levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) are becoming widely accepted as the European standard for grading an individual's language proficiency. Levels A1-A2 describes basic users, B1-B2 independent users, C1-C2 proficient users.
COURSES OFFERED BY PEP - PIER EDUCATION PLATFORM:
NEW!!! German A1.1 / 2 sessions per week (fully booked)
When: Tuesdays 5:30-7:00 p.m. + Fridays 4:00-5:30 p.m. (start of Level A1.2 from August 2025)
Where: on DESY Campus Bahrenfeld (building 47c, room L110)
Teacher: Cornelia Johannsen
German A1.2 / 2 sessions per week (few places available)
When: Tuesdays 5:30-7:00 p.m. + Fridays 4:00-5:30 p.m. (start of Level A1.2 from April 2025)
Where: on DESY Campus Bahrenfeld (building 1b, room SR5)
Teacher: Gisa Günther
German A2.1 / 2 sessions per week (few places available)
When: Mondays + Thursdays, 5:30 - 7:00 pm (start of Level A2.2 from July 2025)
Where: on DESY Campus Bahrenfeld (building 61, room 116)
Teacher: Gisa Günther
German A2.2 (few places available)
When: Wednesdays, 5:30 - 7:00 pm (start of Level B1.1 from July 2025)
Where: online
Teacher: Gisa Günther
German B1.1 (few places available):
When: Wednesdays, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. (start of Level B1.2 from July 2025)
Where: online
Teacher: Cornelia Johannsen
German B1.2 / 2 sessions per week (fully booked)
When: Mondays + Thursdays, 5:30-7:00 p.m. (start of Level B1.2 from April 2025)
Where: on DESY Campus Bahrenfeld (building 47C, room L110)
Teacher: Cornelia Johannsen
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German courses
offered by other institutions:
DESY (login required, for doctoral researchers + employees of DESY)
University of Hamburg (for students and employees of UHH)
MINGZ (for doctoral researchers and employees of UHH)
Hamburger Volkshochschule (for everybody)
English courses
The English courses are part of our language module "Negotiation and networking in English" that is designed for the needs of researchers in science. Our teachers are native speakers with many years of experience in teaching scientists and graduate students.
Academic Writing for Doctoral Researchers - 8 Sessions
EVENT | 8 sessions from 12 March 2025 to 30 April 2025, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. (Wednesdays) | Campus Bahrenfeld, Building 61 Room 116 (1st floor)
